Seat belts are one of the most effective ways to prevent serious injuries and deaths in motor vehicle crashes. However, many teens do not wear seat belts consistently, putting themselves and their passengers at risk. In this article, we will explore some of the factors that influence seat belt use among teens and how to increase their compliance.
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The Importance of Seat Belt Use
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. In 2020, 2,375 teens (ages 16-19) were killed and about 258,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor vehicle crashes. Most of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented by wearing seat belts.
Seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45% and the risk of serious injury by 50% for front-seat occupants of passenger vehicles. Seat belts also prevent occupants from being ejected from the vehicle, which is almost always fatal. In 2019, 43% of teen drivers and passengers who died in crashes were unrestrained at the time of the crash.
Seat belt use also affects the safety of other passengers in the vehicle. When the driver is unbelted, 90% of young passengers (ages 13-19) who die in crashes are also unbelted. Conversely, when the driver is belted, 70% of young passengers who die are also belted. Therefore, it is important for teen drivers to set a good example and always wear their seat belts.
Factors Influencing Seat Belt Use Among Teens
Several factors can influence whether teens wear seat belts or not. Some of these factors are individual, such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, personality, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Other factors are environmental, such as laws, policies, enforcement, education, media, peers, parents, and role models.
Individual Factors
Some individual factors that affect seat belt use among teens are:
– **Age**: Younger teens (ages 16-17) are less likely to wear seat belts than older teens (ages 18-19).
– **Gender**: Male teens are less likely to wear seat belts than female teens⁵.
– **Race/ethnicity**: Black and Hispanic teens are less likely to wear seat belts than white teens.
– **Personality**: Teens who are sensation-seeking, impulsive, rebellious, or risk-taking are less likely to wear seat belts than those who are cautious, conscientious, or compliant.
– **Attitudes**: Teens who have positive attitudes toward seat belt use, perceive seat belts as effective and comfortable, and feel social pressure to wear seat belts are more likely to wear them than those who have negative attitudes or low perceived benefits or norms.
– **Beliefs**: Teens who believe that they have control over their seat belt use, that they are vulnerable to crashes or injuries, and that they have a responsibility to protect themselves and others are more likely to wear seat belts than those who have low self-efficacy, low perceived risk, or low perceived obligation.
– **Behaviors**: Teens who engage in other risky behaviors, such as speeding, drinking and driving, texting while driving, or using drugs are less likely to wear seat belts than those who avoid these behaviors.
Environmental Factors
Some environmental factors that affect seat belt use among teens are:
– **Laws**: States that have primary enforcement seat belt laws (where police can stop and ticket drivers solely for not wearing a seat belt) have higher rates of seat belt use than states that have secondary enforcement laws (where police can only ticket drivers for not wearing a seat belt if they are stopped for another violation). As of 2021, 34 states and the District of Columbia have primary enforcement laws for all occupants.
– **Policies**: Schools that have policies requiring students to wear seat belts on school buses or in school parking lots have higher rates of seat belt use than schools that do not have such policies.
– **Enforcement**: Increased enforcement of seat belt laws through checkpoints, patrols, or campaigns can increase seat belt use among teens by raising their awareness and perceived risk of getting a ticket.
– **Education**: Educational programs that provide information, skills training, feedback, incentives, or peer support can increase seat belt use among teens by changing their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors.
– **Media**: Media messages that promote seat belt use through social marketing campaigns or public service announcements can increase seat belt use among teens by influencing their awareness, attitudes, norms, or intentions.
– **Peers**: Peer influence can have both positive and negative effects on seat belt use among teens. Teens who have friends who wear seat belts are more likely to wear them themselves, while teens who have friends who do not wear seat belts are more likely to follow their example. Peer-led interventions that involve role modeling, peer education, or peer pressure can increase seat belt use among teens by creating a positive social norm.
– **Parents**: Parental influence can also have both positive and negative effects on seat belt use among teens. Teens who have parents who wear seat belts are more likely to wear them themselves, while teens who have parents who do not wear seat belts are more likely to emulate their behavior. Parental interventions that involve setting rules, monitoring, communicating, or rewarding can increase seat belt use among teens by establishing clear expectations and consequences.
How to Increase Seat Belt Use Among Teens
Based on the factors discussed above, there are several strategies that can be used to increase seat belt use among teens. Some of these strategies are:
– **Strengthening and enforcing seat belt laws**: States should adopt primary enforcement seat belt laws for all occupants and increase the visibility and frequency of seat belt enforcement through checkpoints, patrols, or campaigns.
– **Implementing school-based policies and programs**: Schools should adopt policies requiring students to wear seat belts on school buses or in school parking lots and implement educational programs that provide information, skills training, feedback, incentives, or peer support for seat belt use.
– **Developing and disseminating media messages**: Media outlets should develop and disseminate social marketing campaigns or public service announcements that promote seat belt use among teens using appealing, credible, and tailored messages.
– **Encouraging peer influence**: Teens should be encouraged to influence their friends to wear seat belts by role modeling, peer education, or peer pressure. Peer-led interventions that involve these strategies should be supported and evaluated.
– **Involving parents**: Parents should be involved in promoting seat belt use among their teens by setting rules, monitoring, communicating, or rewarding. Parental interventions that involve these strategies should be provided and evaluated.
Conclusion
Seat belt use is a simple and effective way to prevent serious injuries and deaths in motor vehicle crashes. However, many teens do not wear seat belts consistently, putting themselves and their passengers at risk. Several factors can influence whether teens wear seat belts or not, including individual and environmental factors. By addressing these factors through various strategies, such as strengthening and enforcing seat belt laws, implementing school-based policies and programs, developing and disseminating media messages, encouraging peer influence, and involving parents, we can increase seat belt use among teens and save lives.
